The Recipe Rebel / Dinner
written by Ashley Fehr
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Prep Time 45 minutes mins
Total Time 55 minutes mins
Servings 14 pretzel bites
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Last updated on April 11, 2022
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So I’m part of this group of food bloggers who all create a recipe to go with a certain theme or ingredient every month, and then compile a round up with them. It’s a really neat way to see what different people will do with a different ingredient, and it’s just fun!
I was too busy to participate last month and I was kind of bummed, because the ingredient was waffles and I love breakfast food.
I was determined to participate this month, regardless of what the ingredient was.
It was “pretzels”.
Now, if you read my post from a while back where I talked about my first homemade pretzel experience, you know that I’m obsessed. I immediately started thinking about stuffing pretzels with caramel, or a rolo, or something incredible like that.
Because, if you read my post, you know that I need caramel sauce with my pretzels.
And then the coordinator of the group announced the second, but optional, ingredient of the month was caramel. And I’m sure you’d expect me to be all excited about that, but I wasn’t.
Why? I’m totally vain and selfish.
I wanted to be unique in my use of caramel sauce, or at least somewhat creative, but now? I was all like, “obviously I’m not doing that anymore.”
And I started thinking of savory things to stuff in my pretzels. And I really like chili. And cheese.
With homemade, soft, buttery pretzels? Un. Real.
You need these.
*Note: you want your chili cold, so it’s best to make it ahead for one meal, and just use the cold leftovers for the pretzels.
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Pin this recipe to your favorite boardChili Cheese Pretzel Bites
written by Ashley Fehr
No ratings yet
Chili Cheese Pretzels: Buttery, salty pretzels stuffed with chili and cheese — an unreal combination!
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ReviewPrep Time 45 minutes mins
Cook Time 10 minutes mins
Total Time 55 minutes mins
Cuisine American
Course Appetizer
Servings 14 pretzel bites
Calories 158cal
Ingredients
Chili
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 medium onion chopped
- 1/2 green pepper chopped
- a dash of salt and pepper
- 540 ml can red kidney beans rinsed
- 796 ml can diced tomatoes 28oz
- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 2 tbsp worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp chili powder
Pretzels
- One recipe of this pretzel dough completed until the shaping of the pretzels.
- about 12 1/4″ thick and 1/2″ square slices of cheese
- 2 L water
- 1/2 cup baking soda
- 1 tbsp melted butter
- coarse salt
- sesame seeds
Instructions
Prepare chili ahead of time so that it’s cold when you go to make your pretzels.
Prepare your pretzel dough in the bread machine according to the recipe.
Pour dough out onto a well floured surface (it’s a sticky dough), and keep extra flour nearby. Pinch off a small section of the dough, and shape it like a small bowl in the palm of your hand.
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
Place a small spoonful of chili in your “dough bowl”, and top with a slice of cheese (the cheese must go on top, or it will be very difficult to close up). With one thumb on the cheese slice, carefully bring the dough up and around the filling. Pinch shut, and gently roll in your hands until somewhat round.
Bring water and baking soda to a boil. Boil pretzels for 15-30 seconds before drying on paper towel.
Place on a baking pan covered in greased tin foil. Bake in a 425 degree F oven for 8-12 minutes, until golden brown. Some might leak slightly, but once you bite into one, you won’t even be mad. I promise.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 158cal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 25mg | Sodium: 1565mg | Potassium: 375mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 320IU | Vitamin C: 9.8mg | Calcium: 48mg | Iron: 2mg
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Tag @thereciperebelMeet Ashley
My name is Ashley Fehr and I love creating easy meals my family loves. I also like to do things my way, which means improvising and breaking the rules when necessary. Here you will find creative twists on old favorites and some of my favorite family recipes, passed down from generations!
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Reader Interactions
Comments
These little pretzel bites are seriously calling my name. Love that shot of the filling! Pinning to try soon!
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Ashley says
Thanks so much Julie!
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Kristen says
Hey Ashley, do you think any version of cold chili could work out for this recipe? I like my own tested chili 🙂
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Ashley says
I definitely think so! I would aim for something not too chunky or runny, but I think most recipes would work fine!
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Kelly says
What a fun group! I’m so glad you went the other way and made these instead – they look mouthwatering! Drooling over that ooozy cheese filling – yum!
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Ashley says
Thanks Kelly!
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Kelster says
this is so amazing!
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Ashley says
Thanks!
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Oh my goodness Ashley, I love this idea, what a fun snack/meal for game day!
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Ashley says
Thanks Emily! They would be perfect for game day!
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These look all kinds of awesome. What a great way to use up leftover chili.
See AlsoKnoepfle (Swiss Spaetzle Recipe)Reply
Ashley says
Thanks Joy! It’s also a good excuse to make extra chili 😉
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You had me at chili cheese! But add in pretzel bites?! No way. This recipe is too good to be true! Pinned!
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Ashley says
Thanks Jen! They made a pretty tasty lunch 🙂
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Kristen says
Hey Jen , I see you are cheating on your diet ehhh? Once in a while we all need to escape and is unavoidable 🙂
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Lauren says
I’m so glad I was the bearer of bad news when I announced the second ingredient as caramel because I’m in love with these bites!! Like I’m seriously going to have to make a pot of chili this week just to make these puppies!! Yummy!! Mouth is watering 🙂
Thanks for joining this month!!
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Ashley says
Haha, Lauren — it’s only because it was SUCH a wonderful idea and I wanted it to be mine! No hard feelings I promise 😉 I’m just a horribly selfish person with a wicked sweet tooth!
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Stacy says
I somehow missed the additional optional ingredient but I completely understand why you went chili cheese on these. They are fabulous!
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Ashley says
Thanks so much Stacy!
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Ohhhhh my god. That shot of the inside of the pretzel bite is going to my in my dreams tonight… is it game day yet?!
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Ashley says
Haha, that’s one reason to look forward to football season! Sweet dreams 😉
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What a great stuffed pretzel idea! I love the beans in there!
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Ashley says
Thanks Cindy!
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What a great way to use leftover chili….these look wonderful.
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Ashley says
Thanks Wendy!
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Lauren E says
These might be the most beautiful stuffed pretzels I’ve ever seen. Color me hungry!
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Ashley says
Thanks Lauren!
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Mary Frances @ The Sweet {Tooth} Life says
Oh my goodness Ashley, your pictures are killing me! What an awesome group – I didn’t know it was pretzel month and I <3 pretzels. Soft pretzels are the bomb but stuffing them with chili cheese? Help us all THAT IS GENIUS. Pinning these!
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Ashley says
Thanks so much! I haven’t yet met a soft pretzel I didn’t like!
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Matt Robinson says
I couldn’t wait to get down to the pic where you busted that pretzel open, it looks incredible!!
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Ashley says
Thanks Matt! They tasted pretty good too 😀
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What a clever idea and great way to use leftovers! I’m totally interested in joining your foodie group. Heading over now!
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Ashley says
You definitely should Melanie! Let me know if you need any more details 🙂
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Heather // girlichef says
Well, I’m happy that you went in this direction, because awmawgaw – they look ridiculous! I want them in my belly. Now!
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Ashley says
Haha, thanks for your support Heather!
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I had no idea October was National Pretzel month! Yay for pretzels! 🙂 These chili cheese bites sound amazing! Definitely my kind of pretzel. Pinned!
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Ashley says
Thanks Gayle! Pretzels are amazing any time of year, but now we’ve just got a good excuse to indulge!
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This Foodie group sounds like fun – and Happy National Pretzel Month and these bites are a show stopper!
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Ashley says
Thanks Shashi! I’m sure there’s always room for more if you want to get in on it 🙂
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